Thanks to renowned producer, Mark Rhoades, I had the awesome opportunity to choreograph a high-energy number for the 10th Anniversary of his spectacular event. We assembled a phenomenal group of Bay Area LGBT dancers, with featured performance by voguing legend José Gutiérrez Xtravaganza from NYC! It had been a long time since I’d had an entirely queer cast, it was a deeply moving and FUN experience. This annual event benefits The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation which provides aid for HIV services, hunger programs and support for homeless and disenfranchised youth.

Nina, Rose, Shanise, and I did a brief performance and led a This Land interactive dance workshop – engaging children and adults in using all their senses to study the environment and then create dance movement to illustrate the natural world around them. Accompanied by the cries of peacocks and moos of cows! Such joy!

June 2 & 3 – Berkeley High School Dance Production final performance

BHS Dance Instructor, Linda Carr, and I spent two days each week this spring creating a 20-minute piece for 30 teenage dancers. The material grew out of group conversations about the Women’s March and journaling about the experience of growing up female. We asked the questions, “What is feminine?” and “How do we support each other to become our own unique, truly free, selves?”

I learned SO MUCH from the kids, and was inspired by their powerful commitment to intersectionality, and diversity of voices and perspectives. I am grateful for this opportunity to create work on such a large number of dancers!

July 2nd – Krissy Keefer has invited me to create a new This Land piece for Dance Brigade’s “SummerFeast” outdoor dance festival in Dos Rios, CA. I’m excited to start rehearsals with performers: Rose Huey, Kim Ip, and Courtney King. Join us for an unforgettable experience! Ticket and event info: http://dancemission.com/dos_rios/summer_feast.html

Stay tuned for PRIDE FREEDOM DANCE MOVEMENT! My dear friend and mentor, Corey Action, and I are bringing our vision to life later this summer. Follow @SarahBushDance on all the social media platforms to be the first to know about FREE workshops and performance opportunities leading up to September’s Oakland Pride!!

And later in the year, as we transition from summer into fall, I’ll shift into rehearsals and production for my SBDP holiday show, HOME. Mark your calendars now for the second weekend in December so you don’t miss this multi-room performance housed in Berkeley.

This week I’ve been teary, determined and hopeful as we passed the anniversary of the Orlando shooting. Feel the pulse of pride this month, and keep dancing!

Much love,

Sarah

Sarah Bush, “Pride”. Photo – Desdemona Burgin.

Follow sarahbushdance on all the social media platforms to see more content and stay up-to-date with all our projects.